wrongful or criminal deception intended to result in financial or personal gain: he was convicted of fraud [count noun]: prosecutions for social security frauds
[count noun] a person or thing intended to deceive others, typically by unjustifiably claiming or being credited with accomplishments or qualities: mediums exposed as tricksters and frauds
Origin:
Middle English: from Old French fraude, from Latin fraus, fraud- 'deceit, injury'
